Contemporary Radiation Countermeasure (Review Paper)

Vivek N. Patel; Seema Gupta; Mohammed M. Shareef; Mansoor M. Ahmed

doi:10.14429/dsj.61.834

Vivek N. Patel University of Miami, Miami, FL
Seema Gupta University of Miami, Miami, FL
Mohammed M. Shareef University of Miami, Miami, FL
Mansoor M. Ahmed University of Miami, Miami, FL

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.834

Keywords: Radioprotectors, Radiation counter measures, therapeutic agents, Radiation mitigators, Radiotherapy

Abstract

Radiation countermeasures have been investigated for decades, but the search for ideal protective agents for use prior to or after irradiation still continues. This review focuses on agents that have demonstrated as potential as in vivo countermeasure agents and may subsequently be effectively used in human beings. Such agents are categorised as radioprotectors, radiation mitigators, or therapeutic agents dependening upon their time of administration. These protective or mitigating agents are designed to reduce inadvertent damage to normal tissue caused by radiation. These interventions function via various mechanisms of action ranging from modulating signalling pathways to inhibiting cell death, cytokines, and growth factor. Many agents demonstrated promising results in murine models and are being tested in human beings. Amifostine, and curcumin have shown radioprotection, while genistein, palifermin, and halofuginone have been shown to alleviate the side effects in patients undergoing radiotherapy. Though these compounds show some promise as radiation countermeasure agents, there are several associated limitations and the search for perfect agents still continues.

Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(2), pp.138-145, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.834

Author Biographies

Vivek N. Patel, University of Miami, Miami, FL

Mr Vivek N. Patel received his Degree in Biology Honours from University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA and is currently a Candidate for Doctor of Medicine at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Seema Gupta, University of Miami, Miami, FL

Dr Seema Gupta received her PhD from University of Delhi, Delhi. She worked as Post-doctoral Fellow at University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA and Geisinger Clinic, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA, before joining the Department of Radiation Oncology at University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA as Research Assistant Professor. Her research interest includes radiation and cancer biology with a goal to develop novel therapeutic strategies for prostate, lung, ovarian, breast and brain cancers.

Mohammed M. Shareef, University of Miami, Miami, FL

Dr Mohammed M. Shareef received his PhD from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. He worked as Post-Doctoral Fellow at University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA and as Research Scientist at Geisinger Clinic, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA before joining the Department of Radiation Oncology at University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA as Research Assistant Professor. His primary area of research interest includes unraveling the regulation of signaling during radiation and hypoxia and it's modulation in several different cancers.

Mansoor M. Ahmed, University of Miami, Miami, FL

Dr Mansoor M. Ahmed obtained his PhD from University of Madras, India, with pre-doctoral training at Hiroshima University, Japan. Following post-doctoral tenures at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA and University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, he worked as Assistant Professor and Associate Professor at University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA and as Staff Scientist at Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, USA. He is currently Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer at University of Miami, Miami, FL. His current research focus is radiation-induced signal transduction and apoptosis in solid tumors.